Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe Charging Station Review: A Cute Travel Partner for Apple Fans

PROS:


  • Compact size is perfect for travel

  • Cute cube design makes for a great desk accessory

  • Convenient adjustable angle for phones

  • Anker's first Made for MagSafe certified charger

CONS:


  • Average charging speeds

  • Can't use Apple Watch Nightstand mode

  • A bit pricey

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

Cute, compact, and capable, the Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe charging station is a great addition to any Apple fan's arsenal if they can overlook the charging time and price tag.

With Apple’s trifecta of mobile devices that can charge wirelessly, there has been a rise in charging stations that try to accommodate all three. While it isn’t always the case, many people who own an iPhone are likely to also own an Apple Watch or AirPods. Conversely, those who own an Apple Watch or AirPods are guaranteed to own an iPhone. 3-in-1 wireless charging docks for these three initially came in the most common form of a flat bed, but this design has become somewhat old-fashioned and impractical because of the amount of space they take up. Some charging dock designs have become smarter and fancier to use very little space, but these beautiful docks are not things you’ll be able to take with you on your travels. Casting its net wide, Anker launched a rather adorable 3-in-1 Cube charging station for that very purpose, so give it a few spins to see if it’s more than just a pretty face.

Designer: Anker

Aesthetics

The Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe’s design is uncommon enough to grab anyone’s attention, at least anyone that’s paying too much attention to your desk or stuff. In its inactive and folded form, the charging station almost looks like a desk toy if not for the obvious Anker branding. Its black surface and premium looks do suggest that it’s no plaything, though, but it will still be eye-catching either way.

When fully unfolded, the Cube looks like a toy battle station with its tilted top and extruded shelf on one side. Those familiar with wireless charging accessories will now see telltale signs of that kind of functionality, especially with the ring that marks MagSafe-compatible chargers as well as the white concave surface common to Apple Watch chargers. When all charging surfaces are occupied, the charging station definitely looks the part of a battle station. Some might find it too busy to the point of being distracting, but it definitely saves a lot of horizontal and vertical space to keep your desk or shelf tidy.

The accessory is pretty minimal in terms of visual design, but Anker put a few odd accents that try to spice things up without making much sense. There is a small patch of reflective material on the front for the hinge of the adjustable phone charger, for example. Even stranger, however, is the mirror surface beneath that “lid,” reflecting the AirPods case charger or the case itself. Its purpose is a complete mystery since it can’t really be used as a mirror for your face, nor does it reflect anything that you wouldn’t be able to see directly anyway.

All-in-all, the Cube’s unique appearance makes it a good accent on a desk, whether folded or unfolded. Its compact form, however, is also ideal for stuffing into your bag when you need to travel with all your Apple devices. It is a bit heavy at 14.46oz/409g, but that also means it will stand without wobbling on desks or tables, even if all you’re charging is the Apple Watch and nothing else.

Ergonomics

The Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe has a simple appearance that belies its functionality. After all, who would expect that a small box would be able to hold three devices all at once? Fortunately, the accessory is also so easy to use that you can never go wrong, even if you try hard. It’s trivial to set any of the three charging spots up and still fold the box down in a flash, making it ideal for people who need to pack up and go at a moment’s notice.

The charging area for iPhones and other compatible smartphones lifts up like the lid of a treasure box, except that the opening is facing away from you. This allows the phone to be tilted to face you rather than always looking up at the ceiling. It can only tilt as far as 60 degrees, but that’s more than enough to see the phone’s screen comfortably. Since this is MagSafe charging, the phone won’t slide down in that position, either. Even better, you can put the phone sideways, too, turning the charging station into an ad hoc stand for watching videos.

The Apple Watch charger pops out from the side with a simple push, revealing a familiar surface for placing the phone. This retracting mechanism makes it super easy to access that function without getting in the way when you don’t need it. There is enough space to accommodate Apple Watches from any generation, though the small space might make for a tight fit for the larger Ultra model. Unlike the iPhone charging part, the Apple Watch charging platform is fixed at its angle, so you won’t have access to its Nightstand feature while charging. That might not be necessary since the iPhone can be charged at a visible angle, but that won’t be the case if the Apple Watch is the only one sitting there.

In comparison to the iPhone and the Apple Watch, the charger for AirPods is a bit more awkward but still convenient nonetheless. You’ll have to flip the phone charging “lid” open to put the charging case in the gap, so there’s no way to keep that top closed while charging the AirPods. Since it will be lying at the back of the charger, there’s no way to check the case’s charging status without having to turn the box. It’s not exactly too much work, but it could be inconvenient, especially if you consider that the charging cable could be pulled in the process.

Performance

While the 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe offers the convenience of charging all three devices at the same time, it doesn’t exactly offer the fastest charging speeds for any of them. On the box, the iPhone MagSafe charger maxes out at 15W, while the AirPods charger goes up to 5W. Perhaps the most disappointing figure is the Apple Watch charger at its max speed of 5W.

The 15W output of the iPhone charger is admittedly faster than what the old Apple chargers put out for years, but it’s hardly the fastest now that Apple has adopted more modern technologies. It can charge an iPhone 14 Pro Max to full in almost three hours, but smaller iPhones will definitely charge faster. The magnets are definitely strong enough to keep that large iPhone in place, but some people might want to take particular note of the cases they use, just in case they’re too thick to make a proper connection.

At 5W, the Apple Watch charger is sadly behind the times, but that might not matter much to people who charge the smartwatch overnight or during working hours. It takes about two hours and a half to fill the Apple Watch, which is plenty of time except if you’re in a hurry. Anker is definitely capable of providing more power, but it might have had to make some compromises in order to gain Apple’s certification for MagSafe products. In a compact box like this, higher output could result in higher temperatures that could, in turn, become a safety risk.

Anker ships a 30W charger in the box along with a 5ft/1.5m USB-C cable (more on that later). That high output is necessary to supply enough power to all three devices simultaneously, so it’s also good that the respective chargers need very little in the first place. The power brick has foldable plugs that make it compact and easy to throw in a bag, along with the 3-in-1 Cube. Given its output, it might even be the only charger you’ll have to bring along aside from your laptop charger, even for some wired devices.

Sustainability

Like many accessories for mobile devices and consumer electronics, the 3-in-1 Cube for MagSafe uses plenty of plastic materials. Fortunately, Anker is one of those companies that are trying to change that formula and reduce its negative impact on the environment. The charging station itself is typical in that regard, but Anker has taken steps to mitigate the damage.

Like Apple itself, it started by reducing the amount of plastic it uses in packaging by an average of 90%. It has also switched the inner material of the packaging from plastic to pulp and has used 100% FSC-certified recyclable packaging paper, which also uses natural soy ink to reduce the use of harmful chemicals. While the Cube itself has plenty of plastic, its more compact size allowed Anker to reduce that by 30.9g during its construction.

Unfortunately, those sustainability gains are undone by shipping a charger with the Cube. On the one hand, it is definitely convenient since you won’t have to scavenge for a 30W charger, presuming you don’t already have one anyway. Admittedly, not all iPhone users have such a fast charger since Apple no longer ships one with iPhones. With the addition of adapters for different plugs, that still adds quite a significant amount of plastic to the total package, not to mention making the packaging bigger than it could be.

There’s also the worry of repairs and replacement parts, especially with a pop-out mechanism for the Apple Watch charger. It’s a little more complex than a simple hinge and adds moving parts that will wear and tear over time. It could definitely be the part that will get damaged first, and it won’t be something that owners will be able to fix on their own. And once that mechanism is broken, accessing one of the critical functions of the device also goes out the window.

Value

In terms of design and convenience alone, the Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe looks like a solid deal already. Cute, attractive, compact, and multi-functional, it is both an excellent travel accessory as well as an eye-catching desk decoration. And since it comes with a Made for MagSafe certification, it comes with the same confidence and trust that people give Apple’s first-party products.

It does cost a rather hefty $149.95, which is quite higher than what other 3-in-1 docks cost. Given how average the charging speeds are, you might be reluctant to make such an investment, especially if you’re one that relies heavily on super-fast charging. That said, you’d be hard-pressed to find something as adorable and as space-efficient as this, especially one that you can easily pack with you on your regular travels.

Verdict

Who said that charging docks have to be literal docks that take up a lot of space on your desk or shelf? Who says that they have to stay on said desk or shelf in the first place? The Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe Charging Station definitely doesn’t say so and challenges the status quo of its kind. Yes, it is a bit pricey, and the charging speeds could be better, but one can imagine that Anker had to make some compromises to keep the device small and satisfy Apple’s requirements. Minimal yet attractive, compact yet multi-functional, this little box makes a great companion anywhere, whether on your desk or your hotel room’s bedside table.

The post Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe Charging Station Review: A Cute Travel Partner for Apple Fans first appeared on Yanko Design.

Mobile Island Modular Wireless Charger becomes more useful than ever

Mobile Island Modular Wireless Charger Features

Wireless chargers have become more prevalent in the past couple of years. With more smartphones and mobile devices supporting this technology, tech companies are also venturing into such categories. This Mobile Island Series is an old design as it was actually launched in 2018 by a company called Moa. It was previously introduced with Samsung Creative Square’s support as a modular wireless charger for smartphones. We think its design is still perfect for today when there is an ever-growing demand for wireless chargers.

Designers: Won Jang, Daehyun Kim, Daegwan Kim, Soyoung Ko, and Jaewan Choi (Moa Inc.)

Mobile Island Modular Wireless Charging Hub

The idea was to develop a wireless charging island that could juice up phones and other small-sized wireless devices. The result is this thing that boasts a stylish and unique design that we can also now say is timeless even after years of existence. What looks like a set of trays for the office desk is a Mobile Island where you can charge most of your stuff and look nice on your work table.

Mobile Island Modular Wireless Hub

The design concept has turned into a mass-producible concept many people can still enjoy today. The system features different important parts that deliver other functions. There is the Ground (square) which is the basis of the Mobile Island, but on its own, it can be a neat wireless charger.

Mobile Island Modular Wireless Charger System

This station features other extendable wireless charging modules that allow you to charge any smartphone. There is also what is called the Garden, which is a tray, that makes organizing more manageable and more convenient. It is shaped like PacMan, so it can conveniently be connected to the Ground. Finally, there is the Building part that allows wireless charging for other small home gadgets and devices.

The whole Mobile Island is a modular wireless charging system that allows fast and convenient charging. The modules are like blocks for electronic accessories that you can build and further expand. Back in 2018, such a wireless charging hub concept may not be that popular, but this idea now makes more sense. There is a need not only for the organization but also for charging, especially with all the available gadgets. One person alone owns at least two major gadgets that charging schedules and stations must be planned–and this Mobile Island can be an ideal solution.

Mobile Island Modular Wireless Charger

Believe it or not, the wireless charging game is becoming more advanced and complicated. We need more charging areas these days, whether at home or the office. But since the house is now the work area or office for most people, there really is a demand for more efficient gadgets and accessories. This charging station can charge different devices, including smartphones, wireless speakers, wireless earbuds, smartwatches, and maybe even portable batteries. The other modules can charge more devices via USB and auxiliary ports.

Mobile Island Modular Wireless Charging Station

We have featured similar charging stations recently, including that Zoom-friendly charging station. There is also that modular wireless dock that is a one-size-fits-all offering. So even if the AViiQ EVOUNI Portable Charging Station Folio is from almost a decade ago, we still think it is the perfect solution just like the Mobile Island Modular Wireless Charger.

Mockups Design

Concept Mobile Island Modular Wireless Charger

The post Mobile Island Modular Wireless Charger becomes more useful than ever first appeared on Yanko Design.

This micro-mobility charging station features universal power adapters to minimize the hardware used in going electric!

Duckt is a micro-mobility charging station that features a universal power adapter so every type of micro-mobility vehicle – from bikes to scooters can charge with ease!





By now, we’re all familiar with micro-mobility vehicles, like e-bikes and e-scooters. They fill our city sidewalks and their charging stations are found on avenues every couple of blocks. While micro-mobility concepts are typically designed for convenience first and foremost, all of the different micro-mobility vehicles take different charges which complicate the entire transportation process.

Offering a solution, Duckt is a modern micro-mobility concept that weaves a universal charger into its design to streamline charging periods and bridge all of the different micro-mobility vehicles already out there.

Inspired by the numerous configurations that can be created from perfect geometry, the team of designers, Alimşan Kablan, Emre Özsöz, and Pelin Özbalcı, positioned Duckt on power bases that form basic shapes. Chosen for their familiarity and clean design, the basic shape of the power station allows room for more than one type of vehicle to park.

The universal aspect of the charging station comes through Duckt’s adapter that can attach to any micro-mobility vehicle to then connect to the power station for charging. Conceptualized in three different layouts, each power station comes with ports for micro-mobility vehicles to slide into.

The first layout is Duckt’s simplest form, featuring a single dock for charging and a locking mechanism to ensure the vehicle receives all of the intended charges. The next layout, called B2, features a dual docking station for two vehicles in addition to the locking mechanism that’s built into every port.

The master connector, P1 “is a bridge that enables these stations to open up to the internet.” The tall, rectangular power port comes with a QR code that users can scan to access the internet while charging their e-bike or e-scooter. Recognized by A’Design Awards and Red Dot, Duckt is a modern solution for a modern inconvenience.

Designers: Alimşan Kablan, Emre Özsöz, and Pelin Özbalcı

Duckt’s P1 station comes with embedded QR codes that access the internet. 

When put together, Duckt accommodates every type of micro-mobility vehicle.

Each dock comes with a secure locking mechanism to ensure constant charging.

The “master connector,” P1 brings every component together.

The basic geometry of Duckt’s configuration allows room for more than one type of vehicle to park.

Integrated lighting makes Duckt visible even at night.

The post This micro-mobility charging station features universal power adapters to minimize the hardware used in going electric! first appeared on Yanko Design.

All your Apple devices can be charged at once on this modular, wireless dock – one size fits all

We were all well aware of the problem of having one charger or one wireless base and the battle to get your device there before anyone else in your house. Can you imagine how many sibling fights can be prevented if Apple made a multi-charging dock? Well, our prayers have been answered, say hello to the glue that is going to be holding modern families together – Scosche BaseLynx Modular Charging System Kit for Apple priced at USD 149.95 that comes in white and black to match your tech aesthetic. You can also buy individual bases or upgrade to their pro kit.

This wireless charging system kit is modular and expandable, you are now free from hours of untangling cables for each device because this one dock is a home-for-all. You’ll be happy to know that it just requires one power out and given its modular nature, it is portable so you can use it at home or at work. The BaseLynx charging kit is compatible with all iPhones, iPads, Apple watches, Airpods and even iPods – yes this station EXISTS and all us Apple fans are excited about giving our devices a resting spot as sleek as they are.

It has many individual parts that you can choose and pick from to BYOB (Build Your Own BaseLynx). An interesting feature is the Vert charging module where you can charge three devices at once on the same base. The wireless charging dock is also Qi-certified meaning it is safe and one of the fastest available technologies in the game. BaseLynx is a customizable solution that helps organize, charge, store all your Apple devices. You can keep it at home, or take it to work, even travel with it so you don’t have to carry 5 cords plus 3 converter plugs, and the best part – wireless bases mean endless charging without any bent or frayed Apple cords!

All concerns have been addressed, now back to your bases Apple enthusiasts!

Designer: Scosche

Click Here to Buy Now!

Samsung patents perfume-packing cellphone… again

Samsung patents perfume-packing cell phone... again

Seriously, Samsung, what the heck is with the scented cellphone patents? This isn't the first, or even the second time you've thought to put pockets of perfume in a handset. This latest patent is slightly different from earlier concepts, we suppose. We see this one has a scent refilling station built into the charging dock. So, when you set the phone down to charge the battery, it also "charges" the aromatic sponge in the body. It's also notable that this isn't a passive scented strip or a spraying mechanism. Instead the "absorbant material" is heated, either by the battery directly or by circuitry triggered as part of an alert. So, every time your hippy buddy calls, your phone could blast Phish and fill the air with the scent of patchouli (or, something else...).

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Samsung patents perfume-packing cellphone... again originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Aug 2012 16:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LEGO Dock for Nokia Lumia 900 Lets You Safely Brick Your Phone

The cyan-framed Nokia Lumia 900 is a cool looking phone, but it’s not perfect. While it’s not that expensive, and the OS is pretty sweet, it definitely could use a nice charging dock. Check out this LEGO beauty which was constructed by Baris Eris.

lego nokia lumia 900 charging dock

Baris provides several close-up shots of his build to allow enterprising DIY LEGO fanatics to build their own version. He also provides instructions and detailed close-up shots, which should be enough for anyone with some LEGO bricks to build their LEGO charging dock for their smartphone, not just the Nokia Lumia 900.

lego nokia lumia 900 charging dock back

Baris isn’t selling his LEGO dock, but you can probably make your own, without much fuss. So what are you waiting for? Get those LEGO bricks out of storage and start building the perfect bedside dock for your smartphone!

lego nokia lumia 900 charging dock side

[via Ubergizmo]